Players | WTA Tennis English Career in Review Monica Seles Biography Was coached by father, Karolj, until his death in May 1998; holds especially dear the memory of first playing tennis with him in a parking lot; mother's name is Ester; has Yorkshire terrier named Ariel ... Became a US citizen in Miami on March 16, 1994 ... Other interests include modeling, horseback riding, basketball, guitar, reading autobiographies, hiking, swimming, working with Special Olympics athletes ... Collects stuffed animals ... Partner in the All-Star Cafe (sports restaurant chain) with Agassi, Woods, O'Neal, Montana, Gretzky and Griffey Jr ... Appeared in American Heart Association's "Got Milk?" ads with Evert and Fernandez ... Would like to attend college one day and work with children.

No videos found 0 - Holds nine Grand Slam singles titles (four at Australian Open , three at Roland Garros , two at US Open ); last one was 1996 Australian Open ; last time reaching final was 1998 Roland Garros (just three weeks after father's death; finished runner-up to Sánchez-Vicario); last one played was 2003 Roland Garros (lost first round to Nadia Petrova ; was last match played). - Youngest winner of Roland Garros in history in 1990 (16 years, 6 months), beating then-No.1 Graf in straight sets in final. - Youngest winner of Tour Championships in 1990 (16 years, 11 months), beating Sabatini 64 57 63 64 62 in first women's match to go to five sets since 1901 US Nationals final. - Holds 53 career Tour singles titles (currently ninth-most all-time).

- Held No.1 for 178 non-consecutive weeks, fifth-most all-time; rose to No.1 for first time on March 11, 1991, becoming youngest ever at the time (now second-youngest, having been passed by Hingis); year-end No.1 twice (1991, 1992). - Career prize money ($14,891,762) is currently ninth all-time. - Member of winning American Fed Cup Teams in 1996, 1999 and 2000.

- Won seven of eight Grand Slams contested prior to 1993 stabbing; only Graf bettered that with eight of nine between 1988-1990; during QF match in Hamburg on April 13, 1993, was stabbed in back (just below left shoulder blade) by 38-year-old Guenter Parche, a fanatical fan of Graf who wanted to see her return to No.1; Seles did not play again for two years, three months; returned on August 15, 1995 with co-No.1 ranking (w/Graf), winning comeback event in Toronto and reaching US Open final in next event (falling to Graf in 3s).

SINGLES Winner (53): 2002 - Doha, Madrid; 2001 - Oklahoma City, Bahia, Tokyo [Japan Open], Shanghai; 2000 - Oklahoma City, Amelia Island, Rome; 1999 - Amelia Island; 1998 - Montréal, Tokyo [Princess Cup]; 1997 - Los Angeles, Toronto, Tokyo [Princess Cup]; 1996 - Australian Open, Tokyo [Nichirei], Sydney, Eastbourne, Montréal; 1995 - Toronto; 1993 - Australian Open, Chicago; 1992 - Australian Open, Roland Garros, US Open, Tour Championships, Essen, Indian Wells, Houston, Barcelona, Tokyo [Nichirei], Oakland; 1991 - Australian Open, Roland Garros, US Open, Tour Championships, Miami, Houston, Los Angeles, Tokyo [Nichirei], Milan, Philadelphia; 1990 - Roland Garros, Tour Championships, Miami, US Hardcourts, Tampa, Rome, Berlin, Los Angeles, Oakland; 1989 - Houston.

DOUBLES Winner (6): 1998 - Tokyo [Princess Cup] (w/Kournikova); 1997 - Tokyo [Princess Cup] (w/Sugiyama); 1992 - Rome (w/Sukova); 1991 - US Hardcourts (w/Fendick), Rome (w/Capriati); 1990 - Rome (w/Kelesi). ADDITIONAL Monica Seles' Career Highlights :: :: 1999 Won one title and runner-up at two other events reached Australian Open SF, defeating Graf in the QF 7-5, 6-1. Lost to world No.

2 Hingis in SF halting her 33 match win streak at the Australian Open (had never lost a match at the Australian Open prior, winning each time she entered 1991, 92, 93, and 96) at Amelia Island, won first clay title in seven years defeating Roxandra Dragomir 6-2, 6-3 in the final (only losing 14 games through out the whole tournament) reached SF at Roland Garros (lost to eventual champion Graf in 3 sets) withdrew from three summer events with tendonitis in left forearm, but returned at the Canadian Open and got to the final again, but lost to No.1 Hingis (halting Monica's winning streak in Toronto where she had won the title 1995-1998) suffered right foot stress fracture in late September forcing her out of Linz, Philadelphia and season-ending Championships Season-ending No.

6 2000 Enjoyed most consistent season since 1992, reaching QF or better in all 16 events contested (reached six finals, winning three titles) in completed matches, did not lose to anyone other than Hingis, Davenport, V. Williams or Pierce after falling to No. 14 in February (lowest ranking while playing since June 1989), returned to Tour at Oklahoma City after five-month lay-off due to right-foot stress fracture; defeating Dechy in Oklahoma City final 6-1, 7-6, then defeated C. Martinez in Amelia Island final 6-3, 6-2, and Mauresmo in Italian Open final 6-2, 7-6 (first Tier I title since 1998 Toronto and first in Rome in 10 years) moved back to No. 3 runner-up at season-ending Championships (first final there since winning last of three titles in 1992), lost to Hingis 6-7(5) ,6-4, 6-4 after leading 4-2 second set also runner-up at San Diego and New Haven (lost to V.

Williams each time) earned a Bronze Medal in singles at Sydney Olympics (defeating Dokic 6-1, 6-4) member of winning US Fed Cup team, avenging 1998 SF loss to Spain in final No.

4 season-finish was best since 1996 2001 Reached six finals, winning four titles began by reaching QF of Sydney in singles and then pairing up with Martina Hingis in doubles, defeated the Williams sisters 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 in their first match, and then defeated Davenport/Morariu 7-5, 6-3 in the QF at Australian Open, lost to eventual winner Capriati in QF after leading 7-5, 4-2; in doubles (w/Hingis), defeated reigning champions Raymond/Stubbs in 1r before falling to Williams sisters in SF defended Oklahoma City title (defeating Capriati in final 6-3, 5-7, 6-2) suffered right-foot stress reaction after Indian Wells which caused her to withdraw from six tournaments, including Roland Garros and Wimbledon returned at Stanford reaching SF, and at San Diego put together best results since 1998 in defeating world No. 2 Capriati 6-3, 6-3 and No. 1 Hingis 6-3, 6-4, before falling to V.

Williams in final. Her victories over the Top 2 were the most decisive since Austin d. Evert 6-3, 7-5 and Navratilova 6-2, 6-0 on successive days to win 1979 Filderstadt at Los Angeles, saved 6 match points in QF to defeat S. Williams 6-2, 3-6, 7-6(2) (her first victory over one of the Williams sisters in nine attempts); in SF, defeated Hingis in 3 sets 6-3, 1-6, 6-4, but lost to Davenport in final accepted wildcard into Canadian Open (Toronto), defeating Dokic and Henin before falling to eventual champion S. Williams despite earliest loss in 11 years at US Open (4r to Bedanova), captured consecutive titles in Bahia, Japan Open (becoming eighth woman in Open Era to win 50 career titles) and Shanghai chose not to play season-ending Championships in Munich, Germany Season-ending No. 10 2002 Season's tour debut came at Australian Open; ranked No. 10, ended V.

Williams's 24-match win-streak and bid for third successive Grand Slam title with a three set QF win 6-7, 6-2, 6-3 (first win over V. Williams in seven meetings); lost in SF to world No. 4 Hingis in 3 sets reached final at Tokyo [Pan Pacific], defeating Stevenson 7-6(9), 7-6(9) in the QF (saving three set points in first set and eight in second), and defeating Kournikova in the SF. Lost to top seed Hingis in the final 7-6(6), 4-6, 6-3 at Paris Indoors, defeated No. 2 seed Henin in QF but lost to Dokic (for first time) in SF in 3 sets won 52nd career title at Doha as No. 1 seed (defeating Tanasugarn in final 7-6, 6-3) at Dubai, reached the SF (lost to No. 3 seed and eventual champion Mauresmo) at Indian Wells, reached the SF (lost to No.

2 seed Hingis) at Miami, came from 5-7, 4-2 down to defeat C. Martinez in 2nd rd and then defeated No. 5-ranked Clijsters 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, before losing to No. 1 Capriati 4-6, 6-3, 7-6(4) in SF (after holding 2 match points) withdrew from Amelia Island due to a right foot injury at Charleston, was upset by world No. 109 qualifier Foretz in 3r, her first loss to a player ranked outside Top 100 since No. 134 Lucic (1999 Wimbledon 3r) and first loss before SF in first eight events of 2002 representing USA in Fed Cup vs. Austria, lost to world No.

75 Schwartz but won other singles and a doubles matches in US team's 3-2 loss withdrew from Italian Open with a stomach virus won Madrid, her second title of the year and 53rd of her career, defeating Chanda Rubin 6-4, 6-2 in the final quarterfinalist at Roland Garros (never lost before QF there in 10 appearances to date), falling to world No. 2 V. Williams following tournament moved up to world No. 4, her highest since April 2001 reached QF at Wimbledon falling to world No. 6 Henin (for first time in five meetings) in Fed Cup, won two singles matches (13th and 14th Fed Cup singles wins) in USA's win over Israel to secure spot in 2003 World Group seeded No. 3 at Stanford, defeating Tanasugarn in 3 sets in 2r and was upset by Raymond in QF withdrew from San Diego with inflammation of the right foot arch withdrew from Los Angeles due to the right foot injury quarterfinalist at the US Open for a ninth time.

Recovering from a 6-1, 4-3 deficit and later two points from defeat in the 2r (to avenge April Fed Cup loss), to defeat Barbara Schwartz 1-6, 7-6(5), 6-2. Defeated world No. 8 Hingis 6-4, 6-2 in 4r in a crushing display of power before losing to V. Williams in QF; first time in 10 years to reach QF or better at all four GS semifinalist at Bahia, lost to Daniilidou withdrew from Zurich with a right foot injury returned to tour at season-ending Championships, her 12th time to qualify and ninth appearance; seeded No. 6, saved 7 match points to defeat Davenport in 1r 3-6, 7-6(6), 6-3, her first win over Davenport since 1997 Los Angeles final (has saved match point in all three career wins over Davenport to date); lost in QF to world No. 2 V. Williams 7-5, 6-4 after leading 4-1 first set Season-ending No.

7 2003 Won her 1st rd match at the Australian Open over Lubomira Kurhajcova 6-0, 6-1, but in the 2r vs. qualifier Koukalova, twisted left ankle near the end of first set and lost match 6-7(6), 7-5, 6-3, having never lost there prior to QF in seven previous appearances runner-up for second consecutive year at Tokyo [Pan Pacific] (lost to Davenport in 3 sets) as No. 1 seed and defending champion at Doha, lost opening match (after 1st round bye) to world No. 96 Krasnoroutskaya 7-5, 7-5 ranking fell to No. 11, first time out of Top 10 in three years at Dubai, reached final and held championship point before losing to No. 1 seed Henin-Hardenne 4-6, 7-6(4), 7-5 afterwards (February 24), returned to Top 10 at No. 10 withdrew from Indian Wells, Miami and Charleston due to foot injury as No.

6 seed, returned at Amelia Island and fell in QF to Henin-Hardenne retired with foot injury in 2nd round match in Rome vs. Petrova although with the lingering foot injury still giving her problems on and off she enters the French Open. Unable to scramble around enough, falls to Petrova (world No. 76) in 1st round 6-4, 6-0 (her worst loss there in 11 appearances) withdrew from all following tournaments because of continuing foot injury 2004 Played "Raise a Racquet" exhibition against Martina Navratilova in Richmond, Virginia (March 22) to test ongoing foot injury, winning a doubles match but losing the singles planned to return to Tour at Strasbourg and Roland Garros following a one-year injury layoff but withdrew due to ongoing foot injury 2005 Played exhibition series against Martina Navratilova in New Zealand at Auckland (February 1) and Christchurch (February 3), losing both singles matches.

during the women's Canadian Open tournament, Monica was given an award for her achievement in Canada for her 4 wins in a row (95-98) 2007 Played three exhibition matches against Navratilova. On April 5, Seles defeated Navratilova in Houston, Texas, on clay, 7-6(1), 2-6, 10-1 (tiebreak). on September 14, Seles defeated Navratilova on an indoor court in New Orleans, Louisiana, 6-2, 6-4 on September 16, Seles defeated Navratilova on clay in Bucharest, Romania, 3-6, 6-3, 10-7 (tiebreak). 2008 February 14, 2008, Seles announced her official retirement from professional tennis. "Tennis has been and will always be a huge part of my life. I have for some time considered a return to professional play, but I have now decided not to pursue that," Seles said from Miami, Florida.

"I will continue to play exhibitions, participate in charity events, promote the sport, but will no longer plan my schedule around the tour. I look forward to pursuing other opportunities with the same passion and energy that fueled my dedication to tennis and to devote more time to two of my passions -- children and animals. I especially want to thank all my wonderful, loyal fans for all of their support for me over the years. They have inspired me throughout my career in the good times and comforted me in the bad times. I have always been so proud to have such a special group of precious fans to call my very own and felt they were the best an athlete could ever hope to have. I will miss them all as much as I will miss competing in the game of tennis." 2009 July 11, 2009, Monica was inducted into The International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island. "It's a great way to cap a fantastic career," Seles said during her speech. "More importantly, I'm just lucky I got to do something I love to do, and I'm hoping in my second life, as I call it, I can find something that I'm as passionate about as I was about tennis.

It's really that simple for me." "I would like to thank all my tennis fans who were there from Day One when I was No. 1, through my stabbing, and my comeback," Seles, dressed in white slacks with a lavender blouse, told the crowd. Seles, playfully, gave one more grunt. "For old, good time sakes," she said.

Awards & Accomplishments In 2002, received inaugural Sanex Hero of the Year Award (tallied from votes cast on the Tour's official Web site by over 20,000 people from more than 90 different countries) Awarded the 'Commitment to Community' Award by the Florida Times-Union in 1999 Named the 1999 Family Circle Cup Player Who Makes a Difference Named 1998 Female Pro Athlete of the Year by the Florida Sports Hall of Fame Recipient of the 1995 and 1998 WTA Tour Comeback Player of the Year Award Voted by fans as 1995 and 1997 Most Exciting Player Chosen No Nonsense American Woman of the Month in September 1995 by the No Nonsense American Woman Council on Women's Issues Named one of People magazine's Most Intriguing People of 1995 1995 TENNIS Magazine Comeback Player of the Year 1992 WTA Tour Player of the Year by acclamation; also 1991 WTA Tour Player of the Year and 1990 WTA Tour

 Most Improved Player 1991 and 1992 ITF Women's World Champion 1991 and 1992 Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year Recipient of first Ted Tinling Diamond Award in 1990 for enhancing the sport of women's tennis and embodying grace and style Presented with 1990 Rado Topspin Award for overall sportsmanship and dedication to game Named 1989 TENNIS Magazine/Rolex Watch Female Rookie of the Year In 2000, one of five female tennis players named to Forbes magazine's Power 100 in Fame and Fortune list at No.

66; no other female athletes made list; received the 2000 Flo Hyman Memorial Award from Women's Sports Foundation as an outstanding female athlete who exemplifies dignity, spirit and commitment to excellence A member of the winning US Fed Cup teams in 1996, 1999 and 2000 Elected to the 1998/99 Sanex WTA Tour Players' Council Released autobiography "From Fear to Victory" in June 1996 In 2005, received an Award for her achievement in Canada for winning 4 consecutive Canadian Open's in a row (95-98) Released autobiography "Getting A Grip: On My Body, My Mind, My Self" on April 21, 2009 Released fictional book "The Academy: Game On" on June 4, 2013 Was inducted in to the "US Open Court of Championships" on September 8, 2013 Released 2nd book in The Academy Series "The Academy: Love Match" on February 25, 2014 Home | News | Results | Biography | Media | Interactive | Contact Us Site-specific photos/editorials ©Copyright

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All rights reserved. This site is an independently maintained source of news and information. This site is an unofficial fan site, not associated with Monica Seles, the WTA Tour, or any other association. Monica Seles' Biography by James :: :: Virginia Slims of Philadelphia Virginia Slim Championships in New York (Defended her title) On March 11th, Monica became the youngest #1 player in the world (at the time) at 17 years 3 months, overtaking Steffi Graf and becoming only the 5th player in history to reach the #1 spot since the rankings were started in 1975. Playing at the Australia Open for the first time, she got to the Final and defeated Jana Novotna to win her second Grand Slam Title 5-7, 6-3, 6-1, in a outstanding 3 set match. Winning her second French Open in a row, she easily dispatched Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario in the Final 6-3, 6-4. She then skipped Wimbledon and was under a fire of controversy surrounding her disappearance. The reason given to Wimbledon authorities was that she had a "minor medical emergency".

Media speculation in tabloids suggested outrageous explanations regarding her last minute withdrawal of Wimbledon - "she was pregnant, abducted by aliens, and that she was hiding out at the Donald Trump estate, etc". It was later explained that she had shin splints from accidentally hitting her shin with her racquet after a serve. Shortly after she appeared on the David Letterman show. David Letterman asked her questions regarding all the media speculation surrounding the Wimbledon withdrawal and she explained what really had happened; That she had an injury and couldn't play, but had a good laugh at all the crazy stories in the tabloids. But then she showed up to play an exhibition after Wimbledon and was photographed holding up a t-shirt that had the names of the Grand Slam events with Wimbledon scratched off, and the name of the exhibition tournament in its place. Monica later said that she didn't know what the shirt said and that a man from the Event gave it to her to hold up as she was taking media photographs and didn't realize the implication. However, it was not good publicity and a lot of the UK was not happy either. At the U.S.

Open, the 17-year one-month age gap between Monica (17 years, 9 months) and Navratilova (34 years, 10 months), was widest in a Grand Slam final in Open Era. Monica went on to defeat Martina Navratilova in the Final 7-6 (7-1), 6-1, for her first U.S. Open title! She won 3 more Titles after the Open before arriving at the Year End Championships in Madison Square Garden in New York. She fought all the way to the Final and defeated Martina Navratilova again, in a best of 5 set match. Monica won 6-4, 3-6, 7-5, 6-0. It was an amazing end to another great season! Won 10 out of the 16 tournaments she entered (reaching the Final of every tournament that she entered)! She won the 3 Grand Slams that she had entered in 1991, the Australian Open, the French Open, and the U.S. Open.

She now had won 4 Grand Slam titles and was the season ending #1 player in the world with a 74-6 win/loss record for the year! 1992: At the Australian Open she had no problem defeating world No.4 Aranxta Sanchez-Vicario in the semifinal 6-2, 6-2, and then easily defeating world No.7 Mary Jo Fernandez in the Final 6-2, 6-3 for her second Australian Open in a row! Then she went on to win the Essen Classic, Evert Cup, Houston, Barcelona, Monica was pretty much dominating the tour. At the French Open she easily defeated world No.5 Jennifer Capriati in the quarterfinals, then defeated world No.3 Gabriela Sabatini in a tough 3 set match 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 in the semifinals. In the Final, she played Steffi Graf in a classic 3 set match that went on to be one of the all time great matches, with Monica prevailing 6-2, 3-6, 10-8.

Monica was now only the 2nd woman to have won the French Open 3 times in a row (since Hilde Sperling did it in 1935-37)! Monica's celebration didn't last long since she was to play Wimbledon just a few weeks after the French. Unfortunately for Monica, the British were not too happy with her because of last years disappearance. Through out the tournament she was being harassed by journalist and media about the disappearance the year before, and for the grunting during play. The media even stated that they had what they called a "Grunt-o-meter" set up courtside, to record the velocity of her grunts during her matches. They also organized a contest where you could call in and record your own grunt like Monica, and the winning person got some kind of prize. She also had a bomb threat - it was ridiculous. During the quarterfinals, world No.14 Nathalie Tauziat complained to the chair umpire that Monica was being too loud. Which prompted world No.4 Martina Navratilova during their semifinal showdown to complain as well. This time, the chair umpire gave Monica a warning.

Later in the match Navratilova complained again prompting the chair umpire to bend over during a change over and tell Monica to keep it down - which she replied "I'm trying the best that I can". Monica eventually won the match 6-2, 6-7, 6-4. But in the rain soaked final that had to be delayed during play at one point because of the rain, she made a big mistake and tried to be quiet during the match. The grunting controversy finally took its toll on her. She tried to play the final without grunting since everyone acted like it was a big deal and she was getting so much backlash for it - but unfortunately it backfired, she was too bothered about trying to be quiet that her game lacked the sting that it usually does, as well as the grass was extremely slick from the rain. She lost easily to Steffi Graf 6-2, 6-1. By the time the U.S. Open began, she was back in full grunt again and winning as usual. Destroying her opponents each round with those amazing ground strokes and just losing a few games here and there.

Without losing a set in getting to the Final, she defeated Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario 6-3, 6-3 to win her 2nd U.S. Open in a row (her 7th Grand Slam title)! Then she went on to win the Nichirei International, Bank of the West Classic, and the Year End Championships (for the 3rd time in a row) over Martina Navratilova 7-5, 6-3, 6-1. She ended the year again as the #1 player in the world. Won 10 out of the 15 tournaments she entered (again reaching the Final of every tournament that she entered except for one, where she reached the quarterfinal). Duplicating her previous years success, she defended her titles all the way by winning again at the Australian Open, the French Open, and at the U.S. Open. With a 70-5 win/loss record for the year, she was also the youngest player to have won 30 titles before her 19th birthday.

1993: Monica started 1993 off strong winning the Australian Open for the 3rd time in a row (her 8th Grand Slam), defeating Steffi Graf 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 & then winning the Virginia Slims of Chicago over Martina Navratilova; But then she lost to Navratilova at the Paris Indoors Final in a third set Tie-breaker halting her 34-match win streak. A viral infection forced her out of Indian Wells, Miami, Hilton Head and Barcelona, but returned to play at the Citizen Cup in Hamburg, Germany in April. But on April 30th, with Monica leading 6-4, 4-3 in her quarterfinal match vs Magdalena Maleeva (while the players were sitting down during a change-over), She was stabbed in the back by a crazy Steffi Graf fan who felt that Monica had to be stopped so that Graf could regain the #1 position, which had been held by Monica for the past 2 years.

He got up from his seat acting as if he was gonna just walk by, but instead pulled out a knife from a bag he was holding and leaned over the railing and stabbed her in the back just below her left shoulder blade. The wound healed quickly but the psychological effects took its toll on her and she went into seclusion for 2 1/2 years. Not too long after the stabbing, the WTA held a meeting with the Top 10 players and they voted to not freeze Monica's ranking while she recovers, and so therfore her ranking fell to #8 by the year end. The only player that voted to freeze Monica's ranking was Gabriela Sabatini. When Monica turned 20 years old on December 2nd, she had amassed 8 Grand Slams; Giving her the record for the most Grand Slams won by a teenager since the Open Era of tennis began in 1968 (a record that has never been surpassed since). The only other player to have won more Grand Slams as a teenager than Monica, was Maureen Connolly who won 9 (but she accomplished this feat before the introduction of the Open Era).

1995: After a fairly long absence from tennis and after becoming a U.S. citizen in 1994, Monica returned to the game in 1995. The tennis world was just so excited to have her back. Everyone was, except maybe her tennis opponents. Surprisingly she was granted by WTA a co-ranking of #1 with Graf (for her first 6 tournaments), and won her first tournament back as a wildcard entry, at the Canadian Open defeating Amanda Coetzer in the Final (set tournament record for least number of games dropped by the champion throughout the tournament (14) which is a record that still has not been surpassed). At the U.S. Open, playing in her first Grand Slam in 2 1/2 years (but having to wear a knee brace because she was suffering from tendonitis after the Canadian Open), she defeated world No.10 Anke Huber, No.5 Jana Novotna, No.3 Conchita Martinez (all in straight sets to reach the Final), before falling to Graf in the Final 7-6(6),0-6,6-3 after holding set point in the first set.

Monica was just so excited to be back playing tennis again, and so was the tennis world. Tennis thrived again because Monica was back! The game needed her. Although she had to withdraw from the Oakland tournament and Season-Ending Championships due to the tendonitis in her left knee; Ending the season with a 11-1 win/loss record for the year and Co-ranked #1 in the world. 1996: In 1996, Monica started off great winning the Sydney Tournament defeating world No.12 Lindsay Davenport in the Final 4-6, 7-6, 6-3 after being down match point. Then she won her 9th Grand Slam at the Australian Open for the 4th time (having never lost a match in Australia), defeating world No.9 Anke Huber 6-4, 6-1. She also won Eastbourne defeating Mary Joe Fernandez in the Final 6-0, 6-2 (her 1st grass court title), and then won the Canadian Open for the 2nd time in a row defeating world No.2 Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario in the Final 6-1, 7-6.

At the U.S. Open she didn't even lose a set in getting to the Final (even dispatching world No.3 Conchita Martinez in the semifinal 6-4, 6-3), but lost to Steffi Graf in the Final 7-5, 6-4. She then traveled to Tokyo and won the Tokyo Nichirei International over Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario 6-1, 6-4. She got to participate at the Olympics representing the USA and defeated Gabriela Sabatini in the 3rd round before falling to Jana Novotna in the quarterfinal 8-6 in the third set. She also teamed up to play Fed Cup through out the year which helped the USA team win the title over Spain, winning the final match over Sanchez-Vicario. But retired during the Year End Championships 1st round against Kimiko Date due to left shoulder pain. Then in December during a warm up before an exhibition with Martina Hingis while practicing serves, broke her right ring-finger when she tried to catch a ball in mid flight after Hingis served; Ending the season with a 47-8 win/loss record and ranked #2 in the world.

1997: Due to the broken right ring-finger sustained during warmup before exhibition in December 1996, was unable to defend her Australian Open crown at the beginning of the year and it kept her out of the game until March; Resulting in her ranking falling to No.6. Returned at Miami tournament reaching the final there for first time since winning in 1991, but lost to world No.1 Martina Hingis; and then made it to the final of Hilton Head, but lost again to world No.1 Martina Hingis 7-6 in the third. During her 4th round win over Mary Pierce at the French Open, we (Ronny and James) became fans of Monica and started watching tennis and following her results. She reached the semifinal and extended Martina Hingis to 3 sets, but lost 6-7, 7-5, 6-4; Elevating her back to No.2 in the world.

Monica then won back-to-back titles to win the Acura Classic over world No.7 Lindsay Davenport 5-7, 7-5, 6-4, and the Canadian Open (for the 3rd time in a row) over world No.8 Anke Huber 6-2, 6-4. A 14-match win streak was halted in the U.S. Open quarterfinal, where she held match point on Irina Spirlea before falling 6-7, 7-6, 6-3. She then traveled to Tokyo and won the Tokyo Princess Cup over world No.10 Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario 6-1, 3-6, 7-6. Qualifying for the Season-Ending Championships, Arantxa got her rematch though in the 1st round and defeated Monica in a tough 3 set battle 3-6, 6-4, 6-4. Ending the season with a 45-13 win/loss record and ranked #5 in the world. 1998: In 1998, we (Ronny & James) started MonicaSelesSite.com.

She missed the first three months of season to be with family, due to her father's battle with cancer. And just a few weeks before the French Open was to start, Monica's father passed away from the 5 year battle with cancer. He left this earth a wonderful and compelling person who would have done anything to bring happiness to his family and to all that knew him. Monica not only lost her father and coach, but also her best friend. God bless him. Monica entered the 1998 French Open just weeks after her father's death with little and lots of hope. She, with her father's wedding ring bouncing around her neck, made it all the way to the Final. Every match she was getting condolences from opponents, friends, and fans who knew what she was going through (Which probably also made it harder for her to concentrate on tennis), but still played fairy-tale like tennis throughout the tournament.

She defeated world No.3 Jana Novotna in the quarterfinals 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, and then demolished world No.1 Martina Hingis (for the 1st time) in the semifinals 6-3, 6-2, but lost in the final to world No.5 Aranxta Sanchez-Vicario 7-6, 0-6, 6-2. She went on to win the Canadian Open (for the 4th time in a row) defeating world No.1 Martina Hingis in the semifinal 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, and then world No.4 Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario in the Final 6-3, 6-2. And also won both the Singles & Doubles at the Tokyo Princess Cup. The end of 1998 brought Monica to the Year End Championships, where Monica faced Steffi Graf for the 1st time since the 1996 U.S. Open Final.

They played each other in the 2nd round after Monica defeated Kournikova in the 1st round 6-4, 6-3. Monica came out blasting the ball all over the place and took the 1st set 6-1. Graf came back to win the 2nd set with a tough 6-4. Both players were hitting winners and playing great tennis through out the whole match, with Graf prevailing 6-4 in the 3rd (for a 1-6, 6-4, 6-4 win for Graf); Ending the season with a 46-13 win/loss record and ranked #6 in the world. In career earnings, she passed the $10 Million mark (only the 4th to do so). 1999: Monica started 1999 off with a trip to the Australian Open for the 1st time in 3 years. She had never been defeated in Australia ever. Blasting her way through the draw, she met back up with Steffi Graf once again in a very much anticipated quarterfinal match.

Monica and Steffi played some outstanding tennis once again, but this time Monica was victorious in straight sets. After coming back from behind in the 1st set to win 7-5, Monica just blasted Steffi in the 2nd set 6-1 (for a 7-5, 6-1 win for Seles). Monica had placed herself in the semifinals of the Australian Open once again, and was still undefeated with a 33-0 Australian win streak! Waiting in the semifinals though was Martina Hingis who was also riding her own Australian success story. Unfortunately though, Monica lost to Hingis on that hot and sunny day 6-2, 6-4, breaking her winning streak and putting Hingis in the final (where she went on to win her last Grand Slam). After the Australian Open, Monica struggled a little in 1999. Although winning some big matches throughout the year, Monica's only title came at the Bausch & Lomb Championships in Amelia Island over Roxandra Dragomir 6-2, 6-3 in the Final (only losing 14 games through out the whole tournament).

She was also a part of the winning Fed Cup team this year, playing for her country the United States in the 1st round vs Croatia. She defeated Croatian player Talaja 6-3, 6-1, and Majoli 6-0, 6-3 to defeat Croatia and to help the United States progress in the draw. At the 1999 French Open, Monica fought all the way to the semifinals with impressive ground strokes and her famous never quit attitude. Monica's opponent on the other side of the net was once again, Steffi Graf. This time after Monica won the 1st set 7-6, Graf came back to win 6-7, 6-3, 6-4. She then had to withdraw from three summer events with tendonitis in her left forearm and returned at the Canadian Open and got to the final again, but lost to world No.1 Martina Hingis (halting Monica's winning streak in Toronto where she had won the title 1995-1998). Unfortunately, at a tournament in Tokyo at the end of September, she started to feel pain in her right foot.

She reached the final though but lost to world No.2 Lindsay Davenport 7-5, 7-6. Now suffering from a stress fracture in her right foot, forced her out of Linz, Philadelphia and the Season-Ending Championships; Ending the season with a 38-13 win/loss record and ranked #6 in the world. 2000: In 2000, Monica was a new player reaching at least the quarterfinal or better in all 16 events played! The start of the year was postponed though due to the stress fracture in her right foot, but returned after a 5 month layoff to win her 1st title of the year at the IGA Super Thrift Oklahoma Tournament (her 45th Title), defeating Amanda Coetzer 6-1, 6-2 in the semifinal, and then Nathalie Dechy 6-1, 7-6 in the Final (Ronny & James attended, 1st time to see Monica).

Then won the Bausch & Lomb Championships again defeating world No.8 Conchita Martinez 6-3, 6-2 in the Final, and won the Italian Open for the 1st time in 10 years when she defeated Amelie Mauresmo 6-2, 7-6; Moving her back to No.3 in the world! To top it all off in 2000, she won the Olympic Bronze medal in Sydney Australia over Jelena Dokic 6-1, 6-4! Monica was again apart of the winning Fed Cup team in 2000 and helped the United States defeat Spain in the Fed Cup Final. Monica also changed sponsors from Nike to Yonex in mid 2000 and it seemed to change her attitude and her play. Possibly playing in her last Year End Championships, since the Year End Championships was to be moved to Germany (where Monica has stated she won't play). Monica fought her way to the final where she lost a tough 3 set thrilling match to world No.1 Martina Hingis 6-7, 6-4, 6-4.

Dressed from head to toe in Yonex now, she picked up former pro Player Mike Sell as a coach and was now ready for the 2001 season. She ended the year with a 58-13 win/loss record and ranked #4 in the world. 2001: Monica reached six finals in 2001, winning four titles. She began by reaching the quarterfinals of Sydney in the singles draw; And pairing up with Martina Hingis in doubles, they defeated the Williams sisters 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 in their first match, and then defeated Davenport/Morariu 7-5, 6-3 in the quarterfinals. At the Australian Open, she lost to Jennifer Capriati in the quarterfinals after leading 7-5, 4-2 (Jennifer went on to win her 1st Grand Slam by winning the Australian Open that year).

In doubles, Seles and Hingis paired up again and defeated reigning champions Raymond/Stubbs in the 1st round before falling to the William sisters in the semifinals; Who were out to avenge their Sydney loss, from a week before to Seles/Hingis. After Australia, she went on to defended her Oklahoma City title defeating Jennifer Capriati in the Final 6-3, 5-7, 6-2. She then started to feel pain in her right foot again after Indian Wells tournament (now diagnosed as a stress reaction), and took 2 months off to let her foot heal. She returned at the end of May to play Madrid but the foot had not totally healed and she lost her first round match in 3 sets. She took another 2 months off which caused her to withdraw from six tournaments (including Roland Garros and Wimbledon which caused her ranking to fall), and returned to the tour at Stanford where she reached the semifinal but lost to world No.4 Lindsay Davenport.

But it was at the San Diego tournament where she put together some of her best results since 1998, destroying Jennifer Capriati 6-3, 6-3 and then world No.1 Martina Hingis 6-3, 6-4 (both in straight sets), before falling to world No.3 Venus Williams in the final. At the Los Angeles tournament, Monica saved 6 match points against Serena Williams in the quarterfinals to win 6-2, 3-6, 7-6(2). And in the semifinal she defeated Martina Hingis again, but lost to Lindsay Davenport in the final. Despite her earliest loss in 11 years at the U.S. Open (4th round to Bedanova), she went on to captured consecutive titles in Bahia, Japan Open (becoming eighth woman in Open Era to win 50 career titles) and Shanghai. These Titles coming at the end of the year to wrap up a great season! She then chose not to play the Season-Ending Championships in Munich, Germany for obvious reasons. She ended the year with a 40-10 win/loss record and ranked #10 in the world.

2002: Still riding high from her back to back titles at the end of 2001 and on a winning streak of 13 match wins in a row, she came out blasting her ground strokes in all corners at the Australian Open. She ended Venus Williams' 24 match win-streak with a fantastic 3 set quarterfinal win 6-7(4-7), 6-2, 6-3 (which extended her win streak to 18 in a row). However in the semifinal, she lost a tough 3 set match to Martina Hingis 4-6, 6-1, 6-4. She then traveled to Tokyo and played the Pan Pacific tournament and reached the final, before falling to Hingis again in 3 sets. Her 52nd Title came in Doha, defeating Tamarine Tanasugarn in the Final 7-6, 6-3!

In Miami, she came from 5-7, 4-2 down to defeat Conchita Martinez in the 2nd round, and then defeated world No.5 Kim Clijsters 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, before falling to then world No.1 Jennifer Capriati in a massive 4-6, 6-3, 7-6(4) battle in the semifinal (after holding 2 match points). Representing the USA in the 2002 Fed Cup vs. Austria (Ronny & James attended, 2nd time to see Monica), and with all the controversy of Jennifer Capriati getting kicked off the team the night before causing them to be down 0-1 already, all hopes were on Monica. She unfortunately lost against Barbara Schwartz and gave the Austria team a chance to defeat Meghann Shaughnessy and win the meeting with the USA team, which they did. She did come back the next day and won a singles match and a doubles match but it was too late to save the team vs Austria.

She withdrew from the Italian Open with a stomach virus but came back to win Madrid over Chanda Rubin 6-4, 6-2 (Her 53rd Title of her career), moving her back up to world No. 4. Monica then teamed back up to play Fed Cup again, to keep USA in the world group after the loss to Austria. She won two singles matches in USA's win over Israel to secure a spot in the 2003 World Group. I think Monica really needed to play and win these 2 singles matches for her own self, after the loss to Austria a couple of months ago. I assume these 2 matches vs Israel were very important to Monica, and she won them with no problem putting the USA back in the world group. At the US Open, recovering from a 6-1, 4-3 deficit to avenge the April Fed Cup loss to Barbara Schwartz, she won 1-6, 7-6, 6-2, which had the New York crowd jumping out of their seats!

She then defeated Martina Hingis 6-4, 6-2 in the 4th round in a crushing display of power over the Swiss player, before losing to Venus Williams in the quarterfinal. She then withdrew from Zurich with that right foot injury and returned to the tour at the Season-Ending Championships which was moved back to the United States (Los Angeles). It was her 12th time to qualify and ninth appearance; She saved 7 match points to come back and defeat Lindsay Davenport in the 1st round 3-6, 7-6, 6-3. She eventually lost in the quarterfinal to world No.2 Venus Williams 7-5, 6-4 after leading 4-1 in the first set. Retirement talk circulated around at the Championships, that this might possibly be Monica's last year end Championships. Monica then stated in a press conference at the end of 2002 that she is not ready to retire. She said that she feels like she is still playing well and could possibly win a couple more Grand Slams, and is still in the top 10 in the world.

She said that she was very much looking forward to the new 2003 season, and had just picked up a new coach. She will play in Hong Kong and then to the Australian Open, then to Tokyo and where ever life takes me. She ended the year with a 47-14 win/loss record and ranked #7 in the world. 2003: Monica traveled to China to play the 2003 Hong Kong Ladies Challenge, and won. She defeated new upstart Maria Sharapova in the semifinal 6-3, 6-0, and then defeated Chanda Rubin in the Final 5-7, 6-1, 6-2. After Hong Kong she went to the Australian Open and won her 1st match easily 6-0, 6-1, but twisted her left ankle during her second round match. Even though she was hurt, she played on with her ankle taped but lost in a tough three set match against Klara Zakopalova 6-7(6), 7-5, 6-3. Two weeks later she got to the final of Toray Pan Pacific, but lost in three sets to Davenport.

Then she got to the final of the Dubai Duty Free Open, but lost another tough three set match. Monica held match points against world No.4 Justine Henin-Hardenne in the second set, but couldn't convert and eventually lost 7-5 in the third set. She then withdrew from Indian Wells, Miami and Charleston due to the foot injury but returned 2 months later at Amelia Island, but lost in the quarterfinal to Henin-Hardenne. The foot injury starts to flair up again, but Monica manages to win her 1st round match in three sets at the Italian Open. Monica states in a press conference that she is having pain in her foot again. She ends up having to retire in her second round match due to the injury. With the lingering foot injury still giving her problems on and off, Monica goes ahead and enters the French Open, but loses in the 1st round. Unable to scramble around enough, she goes down in straight sets. After that match, Monica decided to take the time off the tour to heal this stress reaction in her foot. Monica was gone from tennis from May 2003 until...

2004: She signed on to play the exhibition with Martina Navratilova in Virginia called "Raise a Racquet, for charity on March 22, 2004. A way to test the foot after almost a year from playing competitively. She would play a doubles and singles match, and the night before they would sign and auction off tennis memorabilia for charity. We heard about the news of Monica signing on to play, so we decided to go for it and go see Monica for the 3rd time! Tickets got ordered, booked our flights, started counting down the days until the exhibition! We attended the event with a friend that we met through our Monica Seles Forum. She invited us to stay with her while we were in town, which was very nice of her to do that for us (thank you Jenz!). We all had bought tickets to the silent auction on Sunday evening, as well as tickets to the exhibition matches the following night. All four of us (Ronny & I, Jenz, and her husband) arrived in great anticipation to see Monica and maybe talk to her.

As we were walking down the stairs to the floor, Monica and her mom, and Martina Navratilova, were standing at the bottom of the stairs! There were people all around them getting a chance to reach out their hand and say whatever they wanted to say, to these two tennis legends. So we scooted through the crowd and when we got an opportunity, Ronny reached out his hand as did she, and we all got to meet her and have our pictures taken with her! She was very kind and interested in what we had to say. Ronny and I got to tell her about our website dedicated to her, and that we had seen her play in Oklahoma, in 2000. We also told her that we were three of the people that sent the "Well wishes" and "Birthday wishes" at the end of last year (we did receive an email from her assistant in January passing on a message from Monica, that said that Monica got them and that she has been reading them while recovering from her foot injury!). She was very excited to hear that we sent those messages to her, surprised and excited - she thanked us for doing that.

She even asked us to write down our website address, so that she could check out our site! Later in the evening, she approached us again and invited us to hit some tennis balls with her the next morning!!!! It was a dream come true for us to meet Monica, get to really talk to her, and then hit tennis balls with her! WOW! We never expected that we would get to do this. We had great expectations going into this trip. You always have dreams that you would love to meet Monica and have her invite you to go play tennis with her.....but you never really think that it could become reality. And that's exactly what happened on that magical two days. It is something that we will never, ever forget. Unfortunately Monica lost the singles match (but won the doubles match), and as the months passed by after the exhibition Monica did not come back to the tour - but her assistant sent us another email from Monica thanking us for coming to Virginia to support her, and to let us know that Monica did get the 2004 Tribute Video we sent and that she liked it! The stress fracture in her foot had not healed all the way.

But she did sign up to play 2 more exhibitions with Martina Navratilova early next year to test the foot again. 2005: Traveling down to New Zealand for the 2 tennis exhibitions early in the year with Martina Navratilova, Monica looked so trim and fit. It was obvious to fans and media that Monica had really slimmed up even more than when we all saw her at the "Raise a racquet" exhibition. Laughing at Martina's antics on the court and having a great time at both exhibitions, Monica fought hard but still lost both events. The foot was still not ready, neither was she. It was too soon. So she filled her time off the court with charity work, sponsor obligations, tv appearance's, fashion shows, movie premiers with other celebrities - Monica was everywhere but on the tennis court. During the women's Canadian Open tournament, Monica was given an award for her achievement in Canada for her 4 wins in a row (95-98). It was a wonderful gesture to commemorate a great champion. Fans and Media that were hoping she would make a comeback, were sad to see another year go by and Monica was not back on the tour.

2006: 2006 was much the same as 2005, although there were no exhibitions. But Monica did not stay hidden though, she was everywhere again. Sponsor obligations and Charity work filled most of her year with articles coming out every month wondering if she will ever return to the tour again. And if it was possible, media speculation and tennis fans alike speculated that maybe she was too thin now. Monica was sporting a physique like back in her teen days - trimmer than ever. The articles usually stated that she was still practicing and hoping for a return but, unsure whether or not it would happen. 2007: At the beginning of the year, a few articles came out saying that Monica and Martina Navratilova were set to play a series of exhibitions throughout the year for charity. Then in March, an article came out saying that they were set to play their first exhibition at the River Oaks Country Club in Houston, Texas on red clay. Since we (Ronny & James) live in Texas, we definitely wanted to buy tickets and attend! So we did.

We didn't think we would have the dream meeting we had in 2004 (but still hoping we might get to talk with her again), but we also didn't want to get our hopes up too much. So we brought 2 framed pictures that we had taken with her in Virginia and a doll that looked like a little Monica playing tennis. Luckily we did because we got to talk to her right before the match. We gave her the doll and talked about our last meeting. We told her that we had the 2 pictures that we had taken with her in 2004 but it was in the car, because we didn't know if we would get to talk to her. She wanted to see them and asked if we could get them and she would see us after the match. It was another great moment for Ronny and I, and it was very nice of her to speak with us before the match cause she didn't do that for anyone else. After she won the match over Navratilova 6-7, 6-2, 10-1, she started walking towards the court exit and we noticed that she had the doll attached to her Yonex bag! Ronny and I were so excited!

She stopped and signed the photos of us together and we told her how excited we were to see the doll on her bag - she posed for another picture with the doll and wished us a safe trip back home. It was another amazing moment for us. Words can not express how excited we were. Then in June, another article came out saying the next stop on the series of exhibitions with Seles and Navratilova would be in New Orleans, Louisiana. Well the state of Louisiana is just right next to us, so we (Ronny & James) got tickets and drove to New Orleans. Now this time we really thought, "lets not get our hopes up, we are just going to go and enjoy watching her play". Monica won again! This time in straight sets. Monica was amazing, slamming balls in the corners and hitting passing shot winners. Martina Navratilova fought hard with drop shots and her classic net rushing, but could not keep up with the power coming from the other side. Monica won 6-4, 6-2.

We were in the first few rows and after Monica won the singles and the crowd was cheering her on - Ronny and I yelled out "we love you Monica", she saw us and motioned that she would talk with us after the doubles match. They ended up playing with a few college players with Monica teaming up with one and Martina the other. They just played a fun couple of games and I think the match was given to Navratilova's team because they did a next point wins kind of thing and Navratilova's team won it. It wasn't important, just for fun and to fill up the time left. Monica started signing autographs after it was over and when we got to talk to her we complimented her on her play that evening, and how well she was striking the ball. She said that once she won the first set she got her rhythm going more. We talked a little longer, got our pictures taken, wished her a safe trip to Romania and said our goodbyes. She spent a good amount of time talking with us and to Michael (that we met for the first time who was one of our forum members). She seemed to enjoy the reunion. We did too!

She is such a nice person (its hard to describe in words), she makes you feel like you are the only person in the world when she is talking with you - she gives you her full attention and seems genuinely interested and asks questions. A wonderful person to talk with. In November, she won "The Fan Favorite" award voted by the fans online over other tennis legends like Billie Jean King, Chris Evert, Martina Navratilova, Steffi Graf, Venus and Serena Williams. The poll results were broadcasted on Open Access show on The Tennis Channel. In December 2007, just a day after Monica's 34th birthday, an article was released stating that Monica would like to try and return to competitive tennis next year. "I certainly would not ever be able to do a full schedule again, because of the foot," she said, "but I'm thinking about the Slams and about some of the better tournaments that lead into them. I won't decide for sure until the beginning of the year, and the Australian is certainly not possible. But Miami. Maybe." 2008: Unfortunately, Monica never returned to the tour.

She announced her retirement from the sport on February 14, 2008; Exactly 19 years and one day from when she first became a professional. "Tennis has been and will always be a huge part of my life. I have for some time considered a return to professional play, but I have now decided not to pursue that," Seles said from Miami, Florida. "I will continue to play exhibitions, participate in charity events, promote the sport, but will no longer plan my schedule around the tour. I look forward to pursuing other opportunities with the same passion and energy that fueled my dedication to tennis and to devote more time to two of my passions -- children and animals. I especially want to thank all my wonderful, loyal fans for all of their support for me over the years. They have inspired me throughout my career in the good times and comforted me in the bad times. I have always been so proud to have such a special group of precious fans to call my very own and felt they were the best an athlete could ever hope to have.

I will miss them all as much as I will miss competing in the game of tennis." 2009: On July 11, 2009, Monica was inducted into The International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island. Seles was enshrined in nearly a 90-minute ceremony along with master's player Andres Gimeno, the oldest player ever to win the French at 34 years, 10 months and Dr. Robert Johnson was inducted posthumously. Yet Seles didn't win election to the Hall of Fame on a sympathy vote. Although she won just one more Grand Slam event after her comeback -- the 1996 Australian Open -- her credentials speak for themselves: Nine Grand Slam titles, 44 other tournament wins, twice ranked No. 1 at year's end. It's absolutely fine to feel compassion for her, as long as that never slides into pity. Seles recognizes the privileges that came with her talent and fame. She considers herself fortunate, not cursed. "It's a great way to cap a fantastic career," Seles said of the ceremony.

"More importantly, I'm just lucky I got to do something I love to do, and I'm hoping in my second life, as I call it, I can find something that I'm as passionate about as I was about tennis. It's really that simple for me." "I would like to thank all my tennis fans who were there from Day One when I was No. 1, through my stabbing, and my comeback," Seles, dressed in white slacks with a lavender blouse, told the crowd. Seles, playfully, gave one more grunt. "For old, good time sakes," she said. We would just like to mention how kind and generous of a person you are, especially to your fans! Thank you for the hearts you have touched with your life and amazing courage. We thank you for giving us the love and appreciation for the game of tennis, and if you ever want to hit some tennis balls around again, just send us an email - we are ready when you are! ^ James & Ronny ^ Home | News | Results | Biography | Media | Interactive | Contact Us Site-specific photos/editorials ©Copyright 1998-2014 MonicaSelesSite.com. All rights reserved.

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Question: Who won the Princess Cup in 1997 with Monica Seles?
Answer: Anna Kournikova